We hear so much today about ‘Liberals’, “Moderates” and “Radicals”. It seems that there is some line that has been drawn to distinguish between the groups, but the criteria used to constitute where the line is drawn is left up to the one making the distinction.
The term ‘Moderate’ seems to be the most desirable and politically correct title. If you think your position is the right one or if you want to try to convince others that you share their values, you consider yourself a moderate. Those with a broader, more tolerant view would necessarily have to be considered “Liberal”, while those with more narrow or exclusive beliefs would therefore have to be “Radical”.
In America, the Church has allowed politicians, judges, other religions and Hollywood to form our beliefs. Somehow we have eliminated the possibility of an unchanging, unwavering, absolute, authoritative TRUTH by which we all can determine right from wrong, how we should live, how we should treat others, and what we believe about God. Beliefs and values are seen as relative; changing from situation to situation generation to generation, individual to individual, whether or not those beliefs can be founded on any agreed upon standard.
With two U.S. wars raging against those who have been termed as “Islamic Extremists” or “Radical Islam”, we hear so much in the news making a distinction between these groups and those referred to as “Moderate Islamist”. We know that “Radicals” or “Extremists”, (the terrorists), are out to declare Jihad to kill Jews and Christians. This is what the Koran teaches. Their professed belief and acceptance of the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad, is what makes them Muslim. This is the professed standard and foundation on which the Islamic faith is built. However, when you take the time to examine the teachings of the Koran, all Muslims are ordered by Islamic Law to kill and terrorize all non-Muslims and not to do so is a sin against Allah!
Below is a quote from Robert Spencer, the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He is the author of nine books including: The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran.
“In March 2009, five Muslims accused of helping plot the September 11 attacks, including the notorious Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, wrote an "Islamic Response to the Government's Nine Accusations." In it they quote the Koran to justify their jihad war against the American Infidels. "In God's book," asserts the letter, "he ordered us to fight you everywhere we find you, even if you were inside the holiest of all holy cities, The Mosque in Mecca, and the holy city of Mecca, and even during sacred months. In God's book, verse 9 [actually verse 5], Al-Tawbah [the Koran's 9th chapter]: Then fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, and besiege them and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush."
To be accurate, while true Muslims want to destroy all who are not Muslims, there are those who profess to be Moderate Muslims” who believe that such thoughts and actions are an atrocity. Here is the important distinction between the two groups; the “Extremists” or “Radicals” are those who follow the teachings of the Koran and the self proclaimed prophet Mohammad and are true Muslims, while those who are referred to as “Moderates” are those who ‘profess’ to be Muslim but do not really understand or follow the teachings of the Koran or the prophet Mohammad—which are the very essence of what makes them Muslim!! (The only acceptable or accurate Koran is in Arabic and most professing Muslims in the world neither read nor speak Arabic. While Muslims are required to recite their prayers and the Koran in Arabic only, they do so from memory without understanding). Mr. Spencer also said he was once told by a Pakistani Muslim that he was very proud of his religion, and had memorized almost all of the Arabic Koran. He went on to say that one day he hoped to get a translation in a language he understood to find out what it means.
That sounds asinine doesn’t it? To profess a set of beliefs only on what someone else has told you, or what you have concluded, rather than on the foundation or the standard on which the beliefs you profess are based! However, there are professing Christians who make the same mistake.
There are those who are professing Christians who believe in Jesus, but who pick and choose the teachings of Scripture that suit their desires and their lifestyles. Many of them are active in church, but in their private lives or in ‘safe’ groups’, they live like the world. They either do not know, do not obey, or have chosen to reject the teachings of Scripture which is the very foundation of the faith they profess. Instead they base their beliefs on what they think is right and what others have told them. This view of Christianity is politically correct, all inclusive, non-offensive and acceptable to the world, but like “Moderate Islam” is untrue to the very teachings on which Christianity is based.
There are some professing Christians of whom God said; "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Is 29:13), and in (2Tim 3:1-5): “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
There are also professing Christians who put their faith in and live their lives to honor and serve God to the best of our ability--not based on sense of duty but because they Love the Lord and want to please Him. Most of them believe that all Scripture is the ordained, unchanging, and authoritative Word of God, and is able to guide all peoples in truth and understanding of His love. They base their beliefs and actions on the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the teachings of His Word and the indwelling leadership of His Holy Spirit. If the Bible says it is wrong, it is! Are they perfect? No, but they strive each day to turn from their sinful ways and follow Christ.
Those who study and base their beliefs on the Word of God believe that all people have access to His throne, His forgiveness and to eternal life only through the shed blood of Jesus (Jn. 14:6). Christians are called to worship God, to turn from our sin and live holy lives, to radically love and serve others, and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all the world.
This may not be politically correct, but it is squarely based on God’s Word. In whom do you place your faith? On what unchanging truth are your beliefs and faith founded?